News Releases

Musician and Filmmaker to Introduce Screening for Ithaca College LGBT Series

ITHACA, NY — Jazz musician Jennifer Leitham — formerly known as John Leitham — will be on hand to introduce an Ithaca College showing of “I Stand Corrected,” the story of how she risked everything when she publicly transitioned from male to female during the height of her career. Joining her will be the film’s producer and director, Andrea Meyerson. Free and open to the public, the screening will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in Textor 101.

Leitham and Meyerson will spend three days on campus providing learning opportunities for students and discussing their fields of expertise. Leitham will also hold a jazz master class in the School of Music. Members of the campus and local communities are invited to meet with them at a reception on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Klingenstein Lounge, Egbert Hall.

The events are part of the Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen film series, sponsored by the Ithaca College Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Education, Outreach, and Services. The theme of this year’s series is “Music: From A Cappella to Queercore.”

Already atypical as a left-handed bass player, Leitham underwent sexual reassignment surgery in 2001. “I Stand Corrected” is a compelling documentary that charts the self-doubts and fears she wrestled with while rising through the ranks of an often homophobic jazz world, and celebrates the joy she discovered after embracing her female identity. Weaving together “before and after” stills and footage, the film incorporates candid interviews with Leitham and other jazz luminaries, entertainers and friends.

An active live performer, Leitham has also played on more than 100 recordings, including 8 of her own. In addition to fronting her own combos, she is known for long associations with Mel Torme and Doc Severinsen and has performed as a member of the Tonight Show All-Stars, Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, the Benny Carter Quintet and the Bob Cooper Quartet. She has been a featured artist at many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals and clubs, including The Blue Note, Iridium and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Manhattan.

Meyerson is the founder and president of StandOut Productions and producer/director of the award-winning “Laughing Matters” documentary series. “I Stand Corrected” has received numerous honors, including “Audience Favorite for Best Film” at the American Documentary Film Festival, “Best Documentary” at the 2012 Long Beach QFilm Festival and “Audience Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature” at Outfest: LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.